Menorca’s fascinating archaeological secrets
The beautiful island of Menorca isn’t just about relaxation, sun and
fine food and drink. As you would expect from one of the most unique
holiday destinations you will ever visit, it has a trove of hidden
treasures waiting to be explored.
Menorca is famous worldwide for its large collection of megalithic
stone monuments, which suggest very early prehistoric human activity. A
megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a monument or
some other kind of structure. They tend to be cleverly interlocked, and
were usually built for important astrological events, such as solstices
and equinoxes.
It’s thought construction of structures like these started in Menorca around 1300 BC, and continued until the Romans arrived. As you’re driving around the island, get your passengers to keep an eye out – many can be seen from the roads.
To truly explore prehistoric Menorca, you must visit the ancient town of Son Catlar, last inhabited about 1,500 years ago. It has its origins in the Bronze Age and is one of the island’s biggest sanctuaries.
You can see part of an 870 metre long wall that was built to reinforce the town, and had rectangular towers added to it when the Romans arrived in the third and second centuries BC. There are also a number of towers, a house, sentry box and a burial cave where the dead were incinerated in lime.
You can also see taulas at Son Catlar; T-shaped monuments that mean “table” in Catalan. If you’re a taula fan, there’s an interesting one to see at the ruins of Talatí de Dalt, a village also from the end of the Bronze Age.
It contains an area that would once have been public ground for the people that lived there. There is a taula megalith in the middle with a highly unusual feature – a column leaning against it. At some point in the past the column must have fallen against the stone structure. Today the two seem to be holding each other up.
If you want to see virtually complete buildings that have weathered the years, the best known monument on Menorca is the Naveta dels Tudons. It’s a prehistoric funereal building that’s two stories high, and resembles an upturned boat. For a real treat, go there at daybreak and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and contemplation this monument will bring.
There are a number of caves to see on the south of the island, some up to 4,000 years old, and many still with their natural chimneys. The most famous are at Calas Coves, once used by the Romans as a religious centre. Also look for Cala Morell on the north coast and burial caves with vertical graves at Cala en Forcat.
If recent history is more your taste, how about something built by us when we occupied Menorca? The Tower of Fornells is on the north coast and is one of the largest defence towers on the island. It was built by the English between 1801 and 1802. They were attempting to control and protect entry to the port of Fornells.
It’s a funny looking round castle-shaped building with excellent views. You can walk to it from the village of Fornells, and even go inside during the summer (although hours are restricted so check in advance).
Finally, if you’d rather someone else brings archaeological wonders to you, then visit the Ecomuseu museum in Cap de Cavalleria, found in the extreme north. It displays many archaeological remains recovered in the excavations of the Roman city Sanisera and other places of interest.
It is the only Roman city in the island that has been completely excavated, and has taught historians huge amounts about the Roman’s time there.
To truly explore prehistoric Menorca, you must visit the ancient town of Son Catlar, last inhabited about 1,500 years ago. It has its origins in the Bronze Age and is one of the island’s biggest sanctuaries.
You can see part of an 870 metre long wall that was built to reinforce the town, and had rectangular towers added to it when the Romans arrived in the third and second centuries BC. There are also a number of towers, a house, sentry box and a burial cave where the dead were incinerated in lime.
You can also see taulas at Son Catlar; T-shaped monuments that mean “table” in Catalan. If you’re a taula fan, there’s an interesting one to see at the ruins of Talatí de Dalt, a village also from the end of the Bronze Age.
It contains an area that would once have been public ground for the people that lived there. There is a taula megalith in the middle with a highly unusual feature – a column leaning against it. At some point in the past the column must have fallen against the stone structure. Today the two seem to be holding each other up.
If you want to see virtually complete buildings that have weathered the years, the best known monument on Menorca is the Naveta dels Tudons. It’s a prehistoric funereal building that’s two stories high, and resembles an upturned boat. For a real treat, go there at daybreak and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and contemplation this monument will bring.
There are a number of caves to see on the south of the island, some up to 4,000 years old, and many still with their natural chimneys. The most famous are at Calas Coves, once used by the Romans as a religious centre. Also look for Cala Morell on the north coast and burial caves with vertical graves at Cala en Forcat.
If recent history is more your taste, how about something built by us when we occupied Menorca? The Tower of Fornells is on the north coast and is one of the largest defence towers on the island. It was built by the English between 1801 and 1802. They were attempting to control and protect entry to the port of Fornells.
It’s a funny looking round castle-shaped building with excellent views. You can walk to it from the village of Fornells, and even go inside during the summer (although hours are restricted so check in advance).
Finally, if you’d rather someone else brings archaeological wonders to you, then visit the Ecomuseu museum in Cap de Cavalleria, found in the extreme north. It displays many archaeological remains recovered in the excavations of the Roman city Sanisera and other places of interest.
It is the only Roman city in the island that has been completely excavated, and has taught historians huge amounts about the Roman’s time there.